Tonto Natural Bridge State Park
Location: Arizona, South of Sedona, near Pine
State park with a large natural bridge and various trails, including one which allows you to walk under the bridge.
Maligne Canyon
Location: Canada, Alberta, Jasper National Park, Jasper area
Popular hike along the edge of the impressively deep and narrow Maligne Canyon.
Athabasca Falls
Location: Canada, Alberta, Jasper National Park, South of Jasper
Quick stop with views of a thundering waterfall and the surrounding landscape.
Sunwapta Falls
Location: Canada, Alberta, Jasper National Park, South of Jasper
Popular stop to see a waterfall-carved canyon, with a short hike to see more falls downstream.
Tangle Creek Falls
Location: Canada, Alberta, Jasper National Park, Southern area
Short stop just off the road with an impressive waterfall.
Weeping Wall
Location: Canada, Alberta, Banff National Park, Northern area
Cool rock wall with dozens of tiny waterfalls.
Rob Roy Glacier Valley Track
Location: New Zealand, Otago, Mt. Aspiring National Park
Extremely popular hike to a waterfall-filled amphitheater with great views of Rob Roy Glacier.
Woolshed Creek Hut Loop ♦
Location: New Zealand, Canterbury, Mt. Somers area
Cottonwood Creek Falls
Location: California, San Diego area, Cleveland National Forest
Short hike to a pretty series of cascades in a hidden valley.
Devil’s Punchbowl Falls
Location: New Zealand, Canterbury, Arthur’s Pass area
The most well-known waterfall in Arthur’s Pass; accessed via a short 1km trail.
⊗ Darwin Falls Canyon
Location: California, Northern, Death Valley (Beatty Junction area)
Technical canyon descent through a desert oasis, ending at the destination of a popular waterfall hike.
Lundy Canyon
Location: Northern California, Eastern Sierras, Lee Vining Area
One of the finest hikes in the Eastern Sierras, the route features waterfalls, aspen groves, beaver ponds, and beautiful scenery.
Three Sisters Falls
Location: California, San Diego area, Cuyamaca Rancho State Park
Well-known hike to a series of three waterfalls that create nice swimming holes.
Svartifoss
Location: Iceland, Southern, Vatnajökull National Park, Skaftafell
Beautiful and unique waterfall framed by black columnar basalt cliffs
Faxi
Location: Iceland, Southwest, Golden Circle
Nice, rarely visited waterfall that can be viewed from multiple angles and includes a neat fish ladder.
Tad Xay and Pha Xay
Location: Laos, Central, Vientiane Area
A pair of waterfalls within 2 km of each other: one beautiful multi-tiered waterfall that’s ideal for swimming, and one impressive (seasonal) waterfall that plunges precipitously over a 50 m cliff into a densely forested gorge.
Kuang Si Waterfalls ♦
Location: Laos, North Central, near Luang Prabang
An incredibly beautiful multi-tiered series of falls with perfect pools of turquoise water, ideal for swimming. Pause on your way in (or out) to see the Asian Black Bears at the Bear Rescue Center!
Sandtrap Canyon
Location: California, San Diego area, La Jolla
Short, non-technical sandstone canyon on the coast with year-round water and a waterfall
Limatambo Canyoning
Location: Peru, Cusco Region, Pampa Conga area
Technical canyon descent over several waterfalls; canyon also has a swing bridge and “Tarzan Swing” option typically done in conjunction with the canyon descent
Hidden Valley Falls
Location: Belize, Western, Cayo District
Tallest waterfall in Central America, seen from a viewing platform at the edge of a huge canyon
Rio On Pools
Location: Belize, Western, Cayo District
Idyllic swimming location with numerous small waterfalls and pools
Grotto Canyon ♦
Location: Canada, Alberta, Banff National Park
Fun non-technical winter canyon hike that also offers ice climbing options and features hoodoos and a cave.
Bow Falls
Location: Canada, Alberta, Banff National Park, Banff area
Quick and easy stop for views of a waterfall and a picturesque valley
Johnston Canyon
Location: Canada, Alberta, Banff National Park, Banff area
Classic hike through a beautiful non-technical canyon in any season; in winter the waterfalls freeze and offer ice climbing opportunities
Kitchen Creek
Location: California, San Diego area, Cleveland National Forest
Canyon with seasonal water flow that offers both technical and non-technical descent options
Millard Canyon/Dawn Mine Loop ♦
Location: California, Los Angeles area, San Gabriels
Hike to a great abandoned mine at the end of a non-technical canyon which includes a nice waterfall
⊗ Rubio Canyon
Location: California, Los Angeles area, San Gabriels
Canyoning through a historic area with multiple waterfalls and a few ruins
⊗ Little Santa Anita Canyon
Location: California, Los Angeles area, San Gabriels
Nice beginner canyon with a straightforward approach, lots of rappels, and an occasional keeper pothole; optional extension on the approach through a historic area with a few ruins
Eaton Canyon (Hike)
Location: California, Los Angeles area, San Gabriels
Heavily trafficked hike with multiple small river crossings to a nice waterfall
Paradise Falls
Location: California, Los Angeles area, Thousand Oaks
Nice hike with three distinct destinations: a peak, a waterfall, and a small cave
The Grotto
Location: California, Los Angeles area, Santa Monica Mountains
Quick hike to an interesting talus cave with a small waterfall
Tahquitz Canyon
Location: California, South Central Desert, East of Los Angeles
Quick hike through a canyon previously inhabited by the Agua Caliente band of the Cahuilla Indians to a nice (largely seasonal) waterfall
Borrego Palm Canyon
Location: California, Anza Borrego Desert
Popular hike along a watercourse to a palm grove; also features great wildflowers and a nice waterfall in the spring
Hellhole Canyon
Location: California, Anza Borrego Desert
Hike over open desert and up a canyon along a watercourse to a hidden waterfall; features nice wildflowers in the spring
Skógafoss
Location: Iceland, Southern, Skógar/Vík area
Heavily visited large and impressive waterfall with easy access
Kvernufoss ♦
Location: Iceland, Southern, Skógar/Vík area
Beautiful unmarked and less-visited waterfall – you can even walk behind it for bonus photo opportunities!
Gljúfrabúi
Location: Iceland, Southern, Thórsmörk
Less visited waterfall tucked away in the back of a short, narrow canyon
Seljalandsfoss
Location: Iceland, Southern, south of Thórsmörk
Heavily trafficked tall waterfall that you can walk behind; one of the most photographed sites in Iceland
Hjálparfoss
Location: Iceland, Southern, Thjórsárdalur
Popular double waterfall with very easy access
Háifoss
Location: Iceland, Southern, Thjórsárdalur
One of Iceland’s tallest waterfalls, it’s less visited due to the need for a 4 wheel drive to navigate the access road. Has a bonus waterfall right next to it!
Gjáin ♦
Location: Iceland, Southern, Thjórsárdalur
Delightful hidden valley with nice rock formations and waterfalls
Stakkholtsgjá ♦
Location: Iceland, Southern, Thórsmörk
Nice non-technical canyon that gets an intrepid top pick rating because of the great side canyon leading to an impressive hidden waterfall in a sculpted, high-walled chamber
Thingvellir
Location: Iceland, Southwest Iceland, Golden Circle
Interesting National Park with a storied history and set between tectonic plates creating a picturesque landscape above ground and the famous Silfra Fissure, which can be explored via either snorkeling or diving
Glymur ♦
Location: Iceland, Southwest, Northern Capital Region
Beautiful hike to an impressively tall waterfall tucked in an imposing sheer-walled canyon
Gullfoss
Location: Iceland, Southwest, Golden Circle
Large multi-tiered thundering waterfall
Kirkjufell
Location: Iceland, West, Snæfellsnes Peninsula
Dramatic peak near a set of beautiful waterfalls; one of the most photographed sites in Iceland
Barnafoss
Location: Iceland, West, Borgarfjörður district
Series of rapids through a narrow-walled canyon with a natural bridge
Hraunfossar ♦
Location: Iceland, West, Borgarfjörður district
Lovely and unique set of waterfalls that appear to be magically pouring from the hillside
Slickrock Falls Trail
Location: North Carolina, Brevard Area, Pisgah National Forest
Trail to the south face of Looking Glass Rock that passes its namesake waterfall at the start of the trail
Hooker Falls
Location: North Carolina, Brevard Area, Dupont State Forest
Wide waterfall in a peaceful setting; easy access via a short trail that can be extended to view Triple Falls
Triple Falls
Location: North Carolina, Brevard Area, Dupont State Forest
Lovely three-tiered waterfall in scenic woodlands; a short detour on the brief hike provides a view of Hooker Falls
Dry Falls
Location: North Carolina, Highlands area
Popular waterfall that you can walk behind; easy access and great colors in the fall
Bridal Veil Falls
Location: North Carolina, Highlands area
Previously a waterfall you could drive behind, you can no longer do this, but the access remains absurdly easy
Glen Falls ♦
Location: North Carolina, Highlands area
Three for one! Relatively short and easy hike to three waterfalls, with nice scenery along the way
Whitewater Falls
Location: North Carolina, Highlands area
The highest waterfall east of the Rockies, it’s so large you can only see the upper half from this location, but at 411 feet, it’s still very impressive.
⊗ Mystery Canyon ♦
Location: Utah, Zion National Park
Excellent technical canyon with great rappels, views, and varied terrain, ending with a final rappel over Mystery Falls into the Zion Narrows
⊗ Subway (Top Down)
Location: Utah, Zion National Park
Classic descent of the Left Fork of North Creek through the famous curving, sculpted walls of The Subway
Subway (Bottom Up) ♦
Location: Utah, Zion National Park
Great non-technical way to visit the most scenic portion of Zion’s iconic “Subway” canyon
Emerald Pools Trail
Location: Utah, Zion National Park
Easy trail past two waterfalls to a set of pools with pretty vegetation
⊗ Hidden Falls Canyon
Location: Nevada, Las Vegas, Red Rock Canyon
Easiest technical canyon in the Red Rocks area through pretty scenery; requires a strenuous approach and has some exposed anchor sites
Diana’s Baths
Location: New Hampshire, Bartlett
Nice series of cascades and pools which are great for swimming in warm weather
Arethusa Falls
Location: New Hampshire, Bartlett area, Crawford Notch State Park
Nice hike to a pretty waterfall; can be combined as a loop hike with nearby Frankenstein Trestle
Boiling Pots and Pe’epe’e Falls
Location: Hawaii, Big Island, Hilo
Waterfall upstream from an interesting series of carved bowls famous for their churning water in heavy flow
Nanue Falls ♦
Location: Hawaii, Big Island, Hilo Area
Rarely visited waterfall, perfect for Robinson Crusoe-esque swimming and jumping
Mist Trail (to Vernal Fall)
Location: California, Yosemite National Park, Yosemite Valley
Short hike to the impressive Vernal Fall; spray from the falls creates impressive rainbows in morning sunlight
Sentinel Meadow ♦
Location: California, Yosemite National Park, Yosemite Valley
Easy hike providing several of the classic postcard Yosemite views
Bridalveil Falls
Location: California, Yosemite National Park, Yosemite Valley
Short and easy hike to a year-round waterfall in Yosemite Valley
Lower Yosemite Falls
Location: California, Yosemite National Park, Yosemite Valley
Easy stroll providing views of both Upper and Lower Yosemite Falls
Upper Yosemite Falls ♦
Location: California, Yosemite National Park, Yosemite Valley
Historic trail to the top of Upper Yosemite Falls, providing outstanding views of some of Yosemite’s most iconic landmarks
Limekiln Trails
Location: California, Central Big Sur
Nice hike through forests to historic limekiln ruins and a waterfall
McWay Waterfall Trail
Location: California, Big Sur, Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park
Iconic view of the idyllic beach, waterfall, and bay with turquoise water
Pfeiffer Falls and Valley View Trail
Location: California, Big Sur, Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park
Easy hike featuring a valley viewpoint and waterfall
Umauma Falls Ziplining
Location: Hawaii, Big Island, North of Hilo
Excellent zip lining course with great coastal and waterfall views
‘Akaka Falls
Location: Hawaii, Big Island, North of Hilo
Very tall and impressive waterfall accessed via a scenic 1 mile jungle hike
Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden
Location: Hawaii, Big Island, North of Hilo
Nice botanical garden with a waterfall and bay views
Rainbow Falls
Location: Hawaii, Big Island, Hilo
Beautiful waterfall with very easy access; under the right conditions, the spray from the falls makes rainbows
Queenstown to Milford Helicopter
Location: New Zealand, Otago, Queenstown area
Helicopter flight to iconic Milford Sound offering outstanding views throughout the flight
Doubtful Sound ♦
Location: New Zealand, Southland, West Coast
Outstanding remote fiord with beautiful scenery, wildlife, and opportunities for fishing.
Milford Sound
Location: New Zealand, Southland, West Coast
Fiord with iconic views accessed via a stunning drive through outstanding scenery
Purakaunui Falls
Location: New Zealand, South Island, The Catlins
Cascading waterfall with a very short but pretty approach hike
Matai and Horseshoe Falls
Location: New Zealand, South Island, The Catlins
Pair of waterfalls accessed via a very short approach hike.
McLean Falls
Location: New Zealand, South Island, The Catlins
Pretty waterfall with a short approach hike
Haast Pass
Location: New Zealand, West Coast, north of Queenstown
Scenic drive across New Zealand’s Southern Alps with stops for waterfalls and beautiful views